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LOT 3398
World War II Johnson Model 1941 Semi-Automatic Rifle with U.S.M.C. Style Modified Sights - Serial no. 5790, 30-06 Springfield cal., 22 inch round bbl., parkerized finish, walnut stock. This Johnson
Model 1941 rifle has U.S. Marine Corps style modifications performed to the sights (done in the modern day) in which
the front sight has had its protective ears removed, and a large modified open V notch cut has been performed on the rear sight which
was originally a closed peep; both of which are done in the style of examples used by the 1st Parachute Regiment as a
means of making the sight picture similar to the M1903 Springfield rifle then in service and also to improve visibility in
low light conditions. Approximately 750 Johnson Model 1941 rifles are reported to have been procured by the Marines
in total, and most, if not all, of the Marine issued examples would have seen hard use in the most important battles of
the World War II Pacific Theater with very few known surviving Marine issued examples today. Information and related
pictures of the modified sights on U.S.M.C. attributed Johnson M1941 rifles can be found on pages 140-144 of the book
“Johnson’s Rifles and Machine Guns” by Bruce Canfield in which it states on page 143, “It should be noted that many, if
not most, of the USMC Johnson rifles actually issued to the 1st Parachute Regiment had the protective ‘ears’ removed
from the front sight.”The 1st Marine Parachute Regiment is known to have participated in a parachute drop into France
as part of an OSS team to support the French Resistance. The 1st Marine Parachute Regiment is famously known for
participating in the Guadalcanal campaign (August 7th, 1942-February 9th, 1943) in the Pacific theater of World War II.
On August 7th, 1942, the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment conducted an amphibious assault on the island of Gavutu, later
seizing the island of Tanambogo with other Marine units. In the writing “Silk Chutes and Hard Fighting: U.S. Marine Corp Parachute Units
in World War II” by Lieutenant Colonel Jon T. Hoffman, it recalls the amphibious assault on Gavutu in which it states on page 19, “Platoon Sergeant Harry M. Tully used his marksmanship skill and Johnson rifle to pick off a number
of Japanese snipers.” The 1st Parachute Regiment fought alongside the 1st Marine Raiders in the Tasimboko Raid and the Battle of Edson’s Ridge between September 12th-14th, 1942. The 1st Parachute Regiment was involved
in the Bougainville campaign, with initial landings on November 1st, 1943 and several ensuing tough fought battles against the Japanese forces. This example is wearing serial number “5790” on top of the receiver and the bolt
is numbered “6942” (numbered components on Johnson rifles did not match). The barrel itself is an unmarked replacement, the barrel locking collar lug is numbered “6234H” on bottom and the face of the barrel guide collar is stamped with the standard caliber “.30 06” above the barrel and “41” below it. Absent bayonet lug. The top of the receiver is roll-stamped: “CAL. 30-’06 SEMI-AUTO./”JOHNSON AUTOMATICS”/MODEL OF 1941/MADE IN PROVIDENCE, R.I., U.S.A.” in four lines above the serial number. The patent markings are stamped in five lines between the factory legend and the rear sight. “CRANSTON/ARMS /CO.” is stamped in an inverted triangle on the right rear of the receiver below a five-pointed Dutch star as commonly seen on Johnson rifles. Added circular pearl inserts are located on either side of the buttstock.
CONDITION: Fine as modified, retains 80% refinished parkerized finish with scattered moderate freckling overall. Absent bayonet lug assembly. Wood is very good as refinished, with some scattered light handling marks, and a crack ahead of the forearm screw on bottom. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
LOT 3399 U.S. Springfield Model 1903 National Match Bolt Action Rifle - Serial no. 1254505, 30-06 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock. Manufactured in 1923 and subsequently arsenal upgraded. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights (sans volley notch), with a star gauged “SA/5-28” replacement barrel and a matching electro-penciled serial number on the bolt, which is fitted with a headless cocking piece of the period of the barrel. The barrel is marked “G/2512” beneath the forearm. The stock has a “D.A.L.”(double-struck) inspector cartouche on the left side, with a block “P” on the underside of the wrist and a sharply checkered buttplate. CONDITION: Very fine, with 95% of the original parkerized finish, showing areas of brown patina, mild spotting, light edge wear, and mild handling marks. The re-oiled, remarked stock is fine, with some dents and scrapes. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 3400
Camillus U.S.M.C. Raider Stiletto with Sheath - Produced for the 1st Marine Division and the 1st and 2nd Marine Raider Battalions. 12 1/4” OAL, 7 1/8” inch needle point double edged blade, etched with a “U.S.M.C.” banner and “CAMILLUS/CUTLERY/CO./CAMILLUS,/N.Y.” on one side. The hilt and guard are a single piece of cast zinc. With a plate-reinforced leather sheath.
CONDITION: Fine overall. The blade has some scuffing, mild spotting and fading of the otherwise crisp original etching. The grip shows a few light stains, but is sharply checkered and free of the cracking or disintegration seen in many wartime alloy grips. The sheath is also fine, with some cracking of the retention strap and mild staining.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
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